Return of the 'peace process'?

Livni, Lapid to Form 25-MK Leftist Front

Justice Minister reveals that the two coalition partners agreed to form a common front 'against nationalism' amid spring election talk.

Gil Ronen, 22/10/14 09:39

Tzipi Livni, Yair Lapid

Flash 90

In an interview with Yedioth Aharonoth, Justice Minister and Hatnua party chief Tzipi Livni revealed Wednesday that she intends to establish a united political front with Finance Minister Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid “for the advancement of the peace process.”

"I have been holding conversations with Yair Lapid recently,” she told the newspaper. “I will say things here, to which he has given his consent."

"In the Knesset session that begins next week, we will create a united front in the government and the Knesset on the diplomatic subject," continued Livni. "One bloc, 25 mandates. Together, in favor of a diplomatic arrangement, against Danny Danon-ism and against nationalism.”

Danny Danon is a nationalist Likud MK who was fired by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu from his post as Deputy Defense Minister after he criticized the government for being "limp” on Gaza, and for agreeing to ceasefires with Hamas terrorists even before the terror tunnels were dealt with in the initial stages of Operation Protective Edge.

Livni said that Yesh Atid and Hatnua will also join forces on matters of religion and state, where they have pushed bills critics say oppose Judaism, such as a controversial conversion bill that Netanyahu recently shot down - in what is reportedly part of a push for spring elections.

Lapid confirmed to the paper: "we are in very tight cooperation on both subjects. On religion, we are also partnering with [Yisrael Beytenu Head Avigdor Liberman.”

Lapid reportedly told Livni, in their talks, that he does not agree with all of her positions on the diplomatic issues, but stressed that “we have to be more united and coordinated.”

The move all but cements Yesh Atid's lurch leftwards in general, after an election-time pact with the right-wing Jewish Home party fell apart amid recriminations over the issue of religion and state, as well as negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.

Yesh Atid is not predicted to do well in the next elections - with most polls estimating it will lose 9 of its current 19 seats - and a shift towards the left may signal an attempt by Lapid's party to consolidate its core of secularist, center-left voters.